Multipurpose concrete form clamp

ABSTRACT

A multipurpose form clamp for use in forming concrete beams and columns is described. Each clamp is fabricated of a pair of angle-iron leg members held in spaced relation by an end angleiron member at one end and a pair of intermediate, mutually spaced transverse angle-iron members defining therebetween an opening for the reception of an interconnecting bolt for securing a pair of clamps against the outsides of spaced, parallel column forms. The clamps are also usable as beam-forming clamps by straddling the open ends of their leg members over the upper ends of beam form boards. Each clamp is provided with a right-angular bracket member projecting from one side, which serves as a locating slot for the reception of continuous wales upon use of the clamps in beam forming, and which provide means for hookingly interengaging the clamps when used for the support of corner column form boards.

United States Patent 2,451,951 10/1948 l-lowat lnventor Albert Freedman 7451 N.W. 63rd St., Miami, Fla. 33166 Appl. No. 847,120 Filed Aug. 4, 1969 Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 660,351, Aug. 14,1967, abandoned Patented May 11, 1971 MULTl-PURPOSE CONCRETE FORM CLAMP (R), (W), 48, 50, 40, 43, 33; 25/131 (CF), (CM), (CP), (YA), (YF), (YR), (YT); 269/11 1, 117, 124, 287

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary Examiner-Robert D. Baldwin Attorney-Emest H. Schmidt ABSTRACT: A multipurpose form clamp for use in forming concrete beams and columns is described. Each clamp is fabricated of a pair of angle-iron leg members held in spaced relation by an end angle-iron member at one end and a pair of intermediate, mutually spaced transverse angle-iron members defining therebetween an opening for the reception of an interconnecting bolt for securing a pair of clamps against the outsides of spaced, parallel column forms. The clamps are also usable as beam-forming clamps by straddling the open ends of their leg members over the upper ends of beam form boards. Each clamp is provided with a right-angular bracket member projecting from one side, which serves as a locating slot for the reception of continuous wales upon use of the clamps in beam forming, and which provide means for hookingly interengaging the clamps when used for the support of comer column form boards.

' Patented May 11, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W a TM M Mm m E O w WF m w n MULTI-PURPOSE CONCRETE FORM CLAMP In my US. Pat. application Ser. No. 660,351, filed Aug. 14, 1967, now abandoned, of which this is a continuation-in-part application, there is described a side clamp to be used in pairs for supporting and strengthening the sidewall panels of fon'ns used in forming concrete columns in building construction.

In the above-identified patent application, the clamps are described as being comprised of lengths of angle-iron welded together in the form of a rectangular framework having sidewall portions in a common plane, including a pair of centrally located mutually spaced transverse angle-iron members having first sidewall portions in said common plane and defining, between their second sidewall portions, a transverse slot, and further comprising an interconnecting bolt receivable through the slot and having a channel-shaped head hookingly engageable over the outer edges of second sidewall portions of the transverse members of one of the clamps used in a pair of clamps, for securing the clamps in place. The present invention is directed to improvements in that clamp, particularly with respect to adapting it to use in the formation of poured concrete beams as well as columns and with respect to the addition of dual-purpose hooking means serving as support mechanism for wales when using the clamps with beam forms, and serving as'interhooking means for enhanced support when using the clamps in the erection and support of corner column forms.

It is, accordingly, the principal object of this invention to provide an improved multipurpose concrete form clamp for beams and columns in building construction comprising a pair of side angle-iron members held in spaced, parallel relation by an end angle-iron member and a pair of mutually-spaced intermediate angle-iron members having first sidewall portions lying in a common plane with sidewall portions of said side and end angle members, and defining between their second sidewall portions a transverse slot adapted to receive bolt means for securing a pair of clamps in place and clamping against opposite sides of a concrete column form. The free or open ended legs of the clamps pen'nit their being placed in straddling relation over beam form boards in concrete beam construction. Each clamp is also fabricated with a sidewardly outwardly-extending right-angular bracket hook portion which, in use of the clamp as a beam form support, serves to retain a strengthening wale board, and which, in the use of the clamp in comer column support, serves to hookingly engage pairs of the clamps along corner portions of the column form boards.

Another object of my invention is to provide a multipurpose concrete form clamp the above nature which can readily be fabricated of welded-together lengths of angle-iron for ease and economy of manufacture, and which will be easy to install and remove, dependable in performance and durable is use. e

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote correspondingparts throughout the several view:

FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a form clamp embodying the invention shown with an associated bolting mechanism in expanded relation, illustrating the manner of assembly to a companion clamp upon use of the clamps in the securement of column form boards;

FIG. 2 is an oblique view of the lower portion of a corner column form secured in assembled relation with clamps embodying the invention, a pair of clamps being shown in interhooked relation;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows, illustrating constructional detail of the clamping mechanism and its use in association with the comer column form boards;

FIG. 4 illustrates, in oblique view, a series of clamps embodying the invention shown in clamping position along concrete beam forms boards;

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4 in the directions of the arrows; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 5 but shown with the completed concrete pour just prior to the removal of the clamps and form boards.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, numeral 10 designates, generally, a multipurpose form clamp embodying the invention, the same being comprised of a pair of angle-iron leg members 11, 11 secured in spaced, parallel relation by an angle-iron end member 12 and a pair of closely spaced, intermediate angle-iron members l3, 13. The angle-iron leg members 11, 1.1 angle-iron member 12 and the two intermediate angle-iron members l3, 13 are so relatively disposed and welded together that their respective sidewalls 11a, 11a, 12a, and 13a, 13a lie in a common plane so as to prevent flat surface portions lying in a common plane against form sidewalls when assembled thereto as hereinbelow described upon use of the form clamps in forming columns. The second sidewall portions 11b, 11b, 12b, and 13b, 13b of the angle-iron leg members l1, 11, the angle-iron member l2 and the intermediate angle-iron members 13, 13, respectively, provide an outwardly-extending rectangular frame affording substantial rigidity in the clamp. The form clamp 10 also comprises an angular bracket 14 extending outwardlyof one side, being comprises of a short length of angle-iron l5 welded to and extending outwardly of one of the angle-iron leg members 11 at a position therealong substantially in register with the intermediate angle-iron members l3, 13. The angular bracket 14 further comprises a short, upwardly-extending length of angleiron 16 welded to and extending upwardly of the outer end of the horizontally extending angle-iron member 15.

The second sidewall portions 13b, 13b of the intermediate angle-iron member 13, 13 are disposed in spaced, parallel relation between the second sidewall portions 11b, 11b of the angle-iron leg members ll, 11 to define therebetween a transversely-extending slot for the reception of an assembly bolt, as is hereinafter described.

The bolt mechanism for securing a pair of form clamps I0, 10 in clamping engagement against the sidewalls of a column form when used for supporting and strengthening such forms used in forming concrete columns, comprises a bolt member 17 screw-threaded at one end, as indicated at 18, and provided at the other end with a channel-shaped bolt head 19. The bolt head 19 comprises a rectangular end plate portion 20 centrally affixed against the bolt head end, as by welding, for example, and inwardly directed, opposed, short sidewall portions 21, 21. The assembly bolt mechanism further comprises a rectangular washer plate 22 having a central opening 22a for the reception of the shank portion of the bolt 17, and a hexagonal nut 23 receivable on the threaded end portion 18 of said bolt. Expendable synthetic plastic sleeves 24 of such diameter as to freely receive the shank of the bolt 17 are utilized as hereinafter described to permit withdrawal of the bolt upon disassembly of i the column form structure after a concrete column has been poured and has set.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and considering the operation of the form clamps in setting up a comer concrete column form ready for a concrete pour, it will be seen that the wooden form is comprised of a first pair of spaced, parallel wall end form boards 25,25 extending outwardly to the comer from a first concrete block wall portion, indicated at 26 in FIG. 3 and a second pair of spaced, parallel form boards 27, 27 extending outwardly into the corner from the second concrete block wall portion, indicated at 28, to meet the outer ends of the form boards 25, 25 and define therewith the comer column to be formed. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, pairs of form clamps 10,- 10 will be placed in appropriately spaced relation along the outsides of the outer comer form boards 25, 27, to be held in clamped relation with respect thereto by bolts 17 extending through slots 13c with the sidewall portions 21, 21 of the channel-shaped bolt heads 19 hookingly engagedover the outer edges of sidewall portions 13b, 13b of the intermediate angle-iron members l3, 13 to facilitate assembly thereto in interhooking engagement by preventing turning of the bolt when securing the clamps in place with a nut 23. As illustrated in FIG. 3, an expendable plastic sleeve 24 of a length substantially equal to the thickness of the concrete column to be formed will be slid over the shank of each bolt as it is passed through appropriate openings in opposed form boards pairs 25, 25 or 27, 27. As is further illustrated in FIG. 3, the washer 22 is of large enough size to overlap the outer edges of the transverse angle-iron wall portions 13b, 13b of the associated one of a pair of column form clamping clamps. It is to be noted that it is preferable that the bolt openings provided in the plywood form boards 25, 25 and 27, 27 be large enough to accommodate the plastic sleeves 24 to facilitate the assembly of the clamp members to the form structure.

Referring to FIG. 2, it is particularly to be noted that the form clamps 10 have their legs directed vertically upwardly along one side of the comer column form at the outside, and directed downwardly at the other side at the outside column of the column comer form in such a manner that their angular brackets 14 will be interhooked in tight engagement, thereby providing for extraordinary structural rigidity along the outside corner portion of the corner column. This feature of the clamp 10 minimizes any tendency of the form boards to buckle or spread under the weight of poured concrete, insuring truly flat comer wall construction in formed columns.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate how the form clamps 110 are used in forming concrete beams along the top of a concrete block building wall 28. The plywood form boards 29, 30 will first be applied in proper position along the opposite sides of the upper end of the wall 28, to be temporarily supported thereat by underside abutment strips 290, 30a, first nailed against the sides of the wall as locating means, after which the form clamps 10 will be pushed down in straddling relation over the form boards to the extent allowed by the outer intermediate angle-iron member 13. It will be understood that the spacing between the insides of the angle-iron side portions 1 lb, llb of the leg members 111, 11 will be such as is equal to the width of the block wall 28 plus the thickness of the two beam boards 29 and 30, so that the width of the beam to be formed will be the same as that of the concrete block portion in the finished wall. It is further to be noted that the free lengths of the angle-iron leg members 11, ll of the form clamps is long enough to extend substantially beyond the height of the beam to be formed to insure secure clamping of the form boards with respect to the marginal upper end portion of the block wall upon and along which the beam is to be poured.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and-6 angular tabs 31, 31 are weldedagainst the outsides of the wall portions 13b of the outer intermediate angle-iron members 13, one at each end thereof, providing convergingly directed lugs 31a, 31a defining wedge slots for the reception of upper end portions of the beam form boards 29, 30 upon pushing each clamp 10 in place. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the lugs 31a, 31a serve to wedge the upper ends of the fonn boards flat against the sidewalls 11b, llb of the angle-iron leg members 11, 11 to maintain the form boards straight and parallel with respect to the upper end of the block wall to which they are assembled. As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the angular brackets 14 of a series of clamps l0 spaced along beam form boards 29 and 30 serve as locating and securing means for strengthening wale members 32, which may, for example, be in the form of long, straight 2 by 4's. it will be understood that the locating lugs 31a, 31a and the brackets l4 used as wale assembly means serve to maintain true alignment of the form boards 29, 30 to each of the clamps l0, and true alignment of each clamp 10 to the remainder of any of the clamps in a lineal series to insure the formation of flat and true sidewalls in the completed beam. After pouring the concrete beam, it will be screeded along the top in the usual fashion and allowed to set, after which the wales and clamps can readily be removed. To facilitate the removal of the clamps 10, the spacing between the angle-iron member 12 and the intermediate angle-iron member 13 provides an opening through which a length of 2 by 4 board, for example can be inserted to be used as a lever applied at its inner end and against the top of the formed beams for raising the clamp away from the form boards.

Although the clamps are illustrated and described herein for use with standard nominal 8-inch thick concrete blocks, it is to be understood that they could as well be made of such greater or lesser size as would be appropriate for forming concrete beams and columns of greater or lesser width.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

lclaim:

l. A multipurpose concrete form clamp for beam and column forming comprising, in combination, a pair of leg angle-iron members arranged in spaced, parallel relation, an end angle-iron member transversely joining said leg iron members at opposed end portions thereof, a pair of closely mutually-spaced, transverse angle-iron members welded between said leg angle-iron members at a position spaced about onefourth the distance between said end angle-iron member and the other ends of said leg angle-iron members, said leg angleiron member and said transverse angle-iron members being so arranged as to have sidewall portions in a common plane, the remaining sidewall portions of said transverse angle-iron members being arranged in face-to-face relation so as to define therebetween a narrow slot for the passage of a bolt shank, ad a right-angular bracket member fixed to and extending sidewardly outwardly of one of said leg angle-iron members at a portion therealong substantially in alignment with the inner one of said transverse angle-iron members, said' bracket member defining a rectangular recess open toward said end angle-iron member for the reception of a wale or to hookingly interengage another said clamp.

2. A multipurpose concrete form clamp as defined in claim 1 wherein said bracket member comprises a first short length of angle-iron welded to said one of said leg angle-iron members and a second length of angle-iron welded at one end in right-angular disposition with respect to said first length of angle-iron.

3. A multipurpose concrete form clamp as defined in claim 2 including a pair of angularly outwardly-extending lugs welded one each with respect to opposite end portions of the outermost one of said transverse angle-iron members, said lugs being outwardly convergent to define a wedge-shaped slots for the reception of upper end portions of beam boards upon use of the clamp as a beam form support clamp.

4. A multipurpose fonn clamp as defined in claim 1 wherein said leg angle-iron members, said end angle-iron members said transverse angle-iron members and said first and second lengths of angle-iron are all of substantially uniform cross-sectional size and shape. 

1. A multipurpose concrete form clamp for beam and column forming comprising, in combination, a pair of leg angle-iron members arranged in spaced, parallel relation, an end angle-iron member transversely joining said leg iron members at opposed end portions thereof, a pair of closely mutually-spaced, transverse angle-iron members welded between said leg angle-iron members at a position spaced about one-fourth the distance between said end angle-iron member and the other ends of said leg angle-iron members, said leg angle-iron member and said transverse angleiron members being so arranged as to have sidewall portions in a common plane, the remaining sidewall portions of said transverse angle-iron members being arranged in face-to-face relation so as to define therebetween a narrow slot for the passage of a bolt shank, ad a right-angular bracket member fixed to and extending sidewardly outwardly of one of said leg angle-iron members at a portion therealong substantially in alignment with the inner One of said transverse angle-iron members, said bracket member defining a rectangular recess open toward said end angle-iron member for the reception of a wale or to hookingly interengage another said clamp.
 2. A multipurpose concrete form clamp as defined in claim 1 wherein said bracket member comprises a first short length of angle-iron welded to said one of said leg angle-iron members and a second length of angle-iron welded at one end in right-angular disposition with respect to said first length of angle-iron.
 3. A multipurpose concrete form clamp as defined in claim 2 including a pair of angularly outwardly-extending lugs welded one each with respect to opposite end portions of the outermost one of said transverse angle-iron members, said lugs being outwardly convergent to define a wedge-shaped slots for the reception of upper end portions of beam boards upon use of the clamp as a beam form support clamp.
 4. A multipurpose form clamp as defined in claim 1 wherein said leg angle-iron members, said end angle-iron members said transverse angle-iron members and said first and second lengths of angle-iron are all of substantially uniform cross-sectional size and shape. 